[Electronics-talk] Miniguide

Thu Dec 12 16:55:00 UTC 2013

Excuse me, but it seems the list has gone far adrift here. A simple question about the nature and function of an electronic mobility adaptive aide for the blind has rapidly degenerated into a ceaselessly running commentary as to the propriety of behavior of list members in posting on list. At the very least the gentlemen involved in the dog fight should direct their comments off list and not bother the rest of us with it. I hope this is the last posting on that subject.
Regards,
Robert L Tabor Lawrence KS/USA

-----Original Message-----
From: Electronics-talk [mailto:electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Christopher Chaltain
Sent: Thursday, December 12, 2013 10:40 AM
To: Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances
Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] Miniguide

What exactly did Jim say that was snarky? When I read "... Google is your friend for questions like this.  I typed in "miniguide blind" and got good information." I didn't see anything snarky. Are you saying that he shouldn't have pointed out that you can get answers to questions like this using Google? He did include what he found by using Google. This is a two way street, just as people need to be careful how their messages will be read, others need to be able to receive helpful information without feeling insulted. Jim took the time to look this up in Google, posted this tip to the list and answered the question. He did this without being insulting or condescending, as far as I can tell. In my opinion, he went above and beyond. I, for example, just deleted the messages on the topic since I wasn't that interested in this device, and I wasn't going to look it up for someone else.

I'm also not sure about the statement that this isn't normal behavior. 
I'm on a lot of lists unrelated to blindness issues that are much harsher than anything on this list. Plenty of questions are asked and answered on this list, including this one. What is abnormal is how thin skinned some people are. I frequently ask a colleague a question, and when they remark that they found the answer on Google, I don't get bent out of shape and think they've been snarky. I just make a note to myself that I could look it up myself in the future.

On 12/12/2013 10:22 AM, Baracco, Andrew W wrote:
> Yes, the beginning of your message is snarky and over the top. I once had a professor, perhaps more than one, who said that the only stupid questions are the ones that are not asked. Yet, I see so often on these blind oriented lists people being shot down for simply asking a question. And don't say that this is normal behavior, because it is definitely not. In the real world, people ask other people questions all the time, and if the person knows the answer, he usually gives it to them. Many people have difficulty taking risks because they fear being made to feel stupid, and comments like those that appear in Jim's message do nothing to help, and everything to aggravate this situation. Why couldn't you just give the info that you did, without the snarky comment?
>
> Andy
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Electronics-talk [mailto:electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On 
> Behalf Of Jim Barbour
> Sent: Wednesday, December 11, 2013 3:25 PM
> To: Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances
> Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] Miniguide
>
> I really don't want to seem snarky, but Google is your friend for 
> questions like this.  I typed in "miniguide blind" and got good 
> information.
>
> http://www.senderogroup.com/products/shopminiguide.htm
>
> The short version is...
>
> Detect obstacles in the palm of your hand with the 2 ounce ultrasonic 
> Miniguide.
>
> Augment information from other mobility aids, like the cane or dog 
> guide,with obstacle-detection by the Miniguide from 1.5 to 26 feet.
>
> The Miniguide is 3 inches long, 1.4 inches wide and .75 inches thick 
> including the single 123A battery. Two sensors covered by mesh at the 
> front of the unit send and receive the detection signals. Durable 
> plastic casing covers the rest of the unit.
>
> Jim
>
> On Wed, Dec 11, 2013 at 05:16:02PM -0600, Snow White Dove wrote:
>> I’m sorry if I sound ignorant, but what is a mini guide?
>>
>> I’ve never heard of it before.
>>
>> Could someone give me some info on it.  It can be short and sweet and it can even be off list if necessary or preferable.
>>
>> Thanks for understanding my ignorance about electronics of that sort.
>>
>> Jenny
>> On Dec 11, 2013, at 3:45 PM, Sarah Clark <sarah at sarahaclark.com> wrote:
>>
>>> Hello,
>>> I am about to purchase a Miniguide, and I have a question for anyone who has one. I know that in addition to the regular Miniguide, there is also a Miniguide US version made by APH, and the US version costs almost $200 more, so I am trying to figure out if the US version is worth the additional cost?  From what I understand, they both do the same thing, the US version just gives quicker access to some of the functions by adding a second button. But the regular Miniguide sounds completely usable to me. I am wondering if people find the US version worthwhile over the regular version, and if there is some other benefit to the US version that I may be overlooking?
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>> Sarah
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--
Christopher (CJ)
chaltain at Gmail

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